God has complete foreknowledge yet man has free will. Each person is judged on their own merits. Covers Pirkei Avot from 2:1 to 2:10. Download mp3 Download texts
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Akeidah in Midrash – Part 2
Was God provoked into testing Abraham? Did Isaac invite the Akeidah on himself? What was the purpose of the Akeidah – to test Abraham, to develop him or to display him to the world? Download mp3
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Shmuel I – Part 6 and 7 Missing
Unfortunately we have no audio recording of Part 6 and 7
Continue ReadingShmuel I – The Rise of Monarchy – Part 8
God tells Samuel to anoint David, the youngest son of Jesse, as king, even though Saul is still alive. Note: the recordings of the 2 previous lectures are missing. (Sam I, Chps. 16-17) – (Note: Lecture 6 & 7 are unfortunately missing.) Download mp3
Continue ReadingMoses in Midrash – Part 4
As a child, Moses would sit on Pharaoh’s lap and play with his crown and place it on his own head – a prefiguring events to come. Moses grows up and kills an Egyptian – he flees to Midian. Download mp3 Download texts
Continue ReadingAbraham & Job in Midrash – Part 1
Why must Abraham and Job undergo such extreme trials? What is the relationship between God and Satan in the story of Job? How does the Midrash use Satan in the Akeidah story? Download mp3
Continue ReadingJewish Prayer – Part 5
The Shema emphasises serving God out of love rather than fear. The Midrash touches on the theme of martyrdom – loving God with ‘all your heart, all you soul and all your might’. Download mp3
Continue ReadingPirkei Avot – Ethics of the Fathers – Part 4
The sayings of Yochanan ben Zakkai and Akavia ben Mehalel. The rules on money lending, debt collecting and honour. Covers Pirkei Avot from 2:10 to 3:1. Download mp3 Download texts
Continue ReadingAkeidah in Midrash – Part 3
Abraham takes upon himself the role of slaughterer while Isaac gives himself up fully to being slaughtered. Both of them willingly perform the command of God. They are co-heroes in the story. Download mp3
Continue ReadingShmuel II – Part 3 Missing
Unfortunately we have no audio recording for this lecture.
Continue ReadingShmuel II – Life and Death of David – Part 4
David is devastated by the death of Absalom. We close with David’s final days. (Sam II, Chp. 19) – (Note: Lecture 17 is unfortunately missing.) Download mp3
Continue ReadingKohelet
Kohelet writes of the futility of life and the finality of death. His pessimistic philosophy appears to contradict the view of the Sages. So why was it included in scripture? Download Mp3
Continue ReadingShmuel I – The Rise of Monarchy – Part 9
David defeats Goliath and becomes the hero of the Jewish People. Saul becomes very jealous of him. David and Jonathan, Saul’s son, form a deep bond of friendship. (Sam I, Chps. 17-19) Download mp3
Continue ReadingMoses in Midrash – Part 5
Yitro, a pagan priest, becomes Moses’ father-in-law and shapes his life. He teaches Moses about his Israelite heritage. Moses is taught an important lesson in preparation for his encounter with Pharaoh. Download mp3 Download texts
Continue ReadingAbraham & Job in Midrash – Part 2
Why does God let Job suffer? One opinion says that God is a King, above the law, and we cannot challenge Him. An alternative view says that everything God does is for the best. Download mp3
Continue ReadingJewish Prayer – Part 6
How did the Reading of the Law become part of our service? This practise ensured that Jewish scriptures came to be known by over 3 billion people all over the world. Download mp3
Continue ReadingPirkei Avot – Ethics of the Fathers – Part 5
The sayings of Ben Zoma and Shimon ben Elazar. Who is wise? Who is strong? Who is rich? Covers Pirkei Avot from 3:10 to 4:18. Download mp3 Download texts
Continue ReadingThe Haggadah – Part 1
Why is Seder night called ‘A Night of Watching’. The story of the five Rabbis in Bnei Barak. The origin of Mah Nishtanah and the Four Sons. Download mp3 Download text
Continue ReadingWhat is Midrash
This lecture covers many of the key themes about which Rabbi Jacobs speaks. Midrash is the interpretation of Scripture and the ‘workshop’ of the Sages where they forge their ideas on theology, philosophy and even politics. Download MP3 Download texts
Continue ReadingJonah
Jonah’s decision to run away from his prophetic calling arises from his love of the Jewish People. The book covers the themes of teshuvah as well as God’s mercy for His creatures. Download mp3
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